My New BFF Queen Latifah

I’m not the groupie type. My husband forced me to meet Tom Cruise at one of the Mission Impossible premieres and I was really annoyed. Tom didn’t seem to notice my undeniable irresistibility. Apparently he has plebeian taste in women.

As a wedding gift my brother-in-law gave my husband and I a day on a movie set with Robert DeNiro. We didn’t go. Because we’re aloof to celebrity and just cool like that. I’m fairly certain DeNiro wept all day and may have, in fact, been unable to continue shooting.

When Queen Latifah entered the green room I was gobsmacked by her beauty and sheer force of personality. Here was an Amazonian, zaftig woman who didn’t fit the stereotype of our current, cruel culture of beauty yet redefined beauty. She radiated a dichotomous blend of glamour and accessibility.

I did my best to charm her.

(I’m fairly certain this is Queen Latifah laughing at my speech during BlogHer 13 VOTY. I’m not sure she realizes it yet, but I should be a joke writer for her show. If I can squeeze her in.)

After we took our bows that night I became a bit stalkery of Her Highness.

(That’s me in the pink floral. Latifah wanted to stand next to me, but I didn’t want to make the other bloggers jealous. I’m generous that way.)

Cut to: An email from BlogHer getting me a ticket to the premiere episode of Queen Latifah’s new daytime talk show. The last show I attended as an audience hostage was for the ill-fated Paula Abdul vehicle, “Live To Dance.” As God was my witness, I swore I would never attend another show again!

Yet, against my better judgement, I found myself front row center at Latifah’s show like a giddy stay-at-home mom about to meet Oprah during her Christmas giveaway show where she might win a trip to Gstaad with George Clooney as her host. Despite the fact Clooney’s celebrity leaves her cold. Oh alright, maybe lukewarmish to Calidum (which is Latin for “hot”).

But I digress.

(Latifah, I really think you need a sidekick. Someone who will laugh at all your jokes and carry your coffee mug, but who will also be a scintillating conversationalist. Just a thought.)

The first thing that blew me away was Latifah’s set. I don’t consciously notice interior design, but this 60s-Retro-Rat-Pack-in-Palm-Springs-designed-by-Luscious-Lenny-Kravitz set was to die for. Lenny may have been lurking somewhere backstage, but I’m certain he was hiding because of that Dear John letter I wrote him. He’s never really recovered.

(Lenny come out. I promise not to break your heart again.)

What followed for the next four hours was sheer fun. A celebrity-who-shall-remain-nameless until the episode premieres was lady eye candy. Latifah’s kickass DJ had us jamming between shots. And finally there was one of those heart warming stories that remind us there’s far more good being done in the world than evil. Sadly good news rarely gets the headline. QL’s show hopes to correct that, steering away from morbid, salacious, ripped-from-the-headlines news to pay-it-forward fun.

Check back here on Sepetember 16th for my review of Latifah’s first show, when all secrets can be revealed. xo (BTW this was NOT a sponsored post). Ciao bellas.

Holy shit that set is incredible. I’m not really the talk show type, but I’m looking forward to hers… hoping it will lean toward the real – not necessarily the controversial.
PS – Did I tell you I peed my pants during your VOTY reading?

I’m a huge fan of Queen Latifah because she’s barely aware of her success and fame. She seems to be very approachable, probably it has to do with her roots. I really don’t know. I enjoyed your blog and your humor. Looking forward to reading more.